Propeller.



J. L. RIKHOFF.

PROPELLER. APPLICATION FILED 1113.21, 1911.

1,024,700. Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS SHEET l.

WITNESSES: JNVENTOR.

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J. L. RIKHOFF.

PROPELLER.

APPLICATION FILED 313.21, 1911.

1,024,700. 7 Patented Apr. 30, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR.

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UNTTED %TATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN L. RIKI-IOFF, 01? DENVER, COLORADO.

PROPELLER.

cation.

My invention relates to improvements in propellers for use in aerialnavigation and its object resides in the provision of a mechanism ofsimple construction whereby a plurality of flexible vanes radiating froma central hub, are at predetermined and variable points in the rotarymovement of the latter, alternately spread to act upon the air for thepropulsion of the ship with which the propeller is connected, and foldedto lessen their resistant tendency during the ineffective portion oftheir movement.

In the accompanying drawings in the various views of which like partsare similarly designated, Figure 1, represents a side elevation of thepropeller, Fig. 2, an enlarged section taken along the line 22 Fig. 1,Fig. 3, a side elevation of the eccentric employed to fold and unfoldthe vanes during their revolving movement, Fig. 4, a section taken alongthe line 11 Fig. 8, Fig. 5, a section along the line 55 Fig. l, and Fig.6, a vertical section taken along the line 66, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 2 designates a shaft, which isrotatably mounted in bearings 3 and which carries an eccentric 4;intermediate its extremities. A sleeve 5 rotatably mounted upon theshaft 2, by means of ball bearings 6, has a concentric hub 5 whichencircles the eccentric 4: and which, to facilitate assembling theparts, is composed of two flanged members which are connected by boltsor rivets.

The shaft 2, which in the operation of the propeller, is stationary, maybe rotated to vary the positions of the eccentric in a planetransversely to its axis, by means of a lever 7 which being secured atone end of the shaft, carries a catch to lock it in its adjustedposition by engagement with a notched segment 8 which may be mountedupon the adjacent one of the boxes 8 or upon any other stationarysupport.

The propeller vanes which extend radially from the hub 6, are eachcomposed of a fold ing frame 9 and a therewith connected sailSpecification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 21, 1911.

Patented Apr.30, 1912.

Serial No. 609,876.

10 composed of canvas or other suitable fabric.

The frame 9 is composed of two normally divergent ribs 12 which arepivot-ally attached at their lower ends, at opposite sides of the hub 6and which are steadied by means of flexible braces 13 extending fromtheir outer extremities to points on the hub, at opposite sides of theirpivotal connections. A plurality of rings lt each provided with anoutwardly projecting lug 15, are loosely fitted in correspondingcircumferential grooves of the eccentric 4, and the hub 5 has an equalnumber of outwardly extending bosses 16 which are provided with radialbores. Rods 17 which are slidably fitted in the bores of the respectivebosses 16, are pivoted at their inner extremities, to the lugs of therespective rings 14, while their opposite ends are connected with thetwo ribs 12 of the respective frames 7 by means of toggle joints, thearms 18 of which extend divergently from their point of connection withthe rods, to lugs formed at the inner sides of the ribs. The flexiblesail 10 of each of the vanes is connected along its opposite edges tothe two ribs 12 and it is of suflicient width to bulge in the mannershown in Fig. 2, when the ribs 12 are spread for the purpose of exposingit to the action of the air. A pulley 19 secured upon the sleeve 5serves to connect the propeller with the motor provided to impart arotatory movement thereto.

During the effective portion of the circular movement of the vanes, thesails are spread in' the manner above described, to act upon the air andthus propel the airship with which the propeller is associated, andduring the ineffective portion of the said movement the vanes aregradually folded, as shown in the lower parts of Figs. 1 and 6 and inFig. 5, by the movement of the rings 14; in the respective grooves ofthe eccentric 4', which by moving their points of connection with thesaid rods toward the axis of rotation of the sleeve, draws the rodsthrough the bores in the bosses l6 and moves the ribs 12 about theirpivots, toward each other, through the instrumentality of the respectivetoggle-j oints.

By varying the position of the eccentric in its plane of rotation, whichmay be readily accomplished by means of the lever 7, the points in therotary movement of the propeller at which the vanes are alternatelyspread and folded, may be changed in ac cordance with circumstances andthe purpose to which the propeller is employed.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters-Patent is 1. A. propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relativelystationary, circular member, disposed eccentric to the axis thereof,vanes extending radially from the said hub and each comprising a pair ofribs pivotally connected "with the hub, and a sail attached to the saidribs, rods movable on the said hub, in engagement with the saideccentric member, and toggle connections between the said rods and theribs of the respective vanes.

2. A propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relatively stationary circularmember disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, rings mounted to movecircumferentially upon the said member, vanes extending radially fromthe said hub and each comprising apair of ribs pivotally connected withthe same, and a sail. attached to the said ribs, rods movable on thesaid hub, in connection with the respective rings, and toggleconnections between the said rods and the ribs of the respective vanes.

3. A propeller comprising in combination with a relatively stationaryshaft, a circular member supported thereon, eccentric to its axis, a hubrotatably mounted on the shaft, and encircling said eccentric, vanesextending radially from the said hub and each comprising a pair of ribspivotally connected with the hub, and a sail attached to the said ribs,rods movable on the said hub in engagement with the said eccentricmember, and toggle connections between the said rods and the ribs of therespective vanes.

-l-. A propeller comprising in combii'iation with a relativelystationary shaft, a circular member supported thereon, eccentric to itsaxis, a hub rotatably mounted on the shaft, and encircling saideccentric, vanes extending radially from the said hub and eachcomprising a pair of ribs pivotally connected with the hub, and a sailattached to the said ribs, rods movable on the said hub in engagementwith the said eccentric member, toggle connections between the said rodsand the ribs of the respective vanes, and means for changing theposition of the eccentric in a plane transverse to its axis, by rotationof the said shaft.

A propeller comprising a rotary hub,a relatively stationary circularelement disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, and .vanes extendingradially from the said hub and each comprising afolding frame includinga member mounted to follow the periphery of the said element duringrotary movement of the hub, the said frames being constructed to befolded and unfolded by movement of said member toward and from the axisof said eccentric element.

(3. A propeller comprising a rotary hub, a relatively stationary,rotatable circular element disposed eccentric to the axis thereof, vanesextending radially from the said hub and each comprising a folding frameincluding a member mounted to follow the periphery of the said elementduring rotary movement of the hub, and means for changing the positionof said element in the plane of its rotation, the said frames beingconstructed to be folded and unfolded by movement of said member towardand from the axis of said eccentric element.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN L. RIKIQIOFF.

\Vitnesses L. Rnoanns, G. J. RoLLaNnn'r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C.

